Hanoi, 1st June 2004 -- The World Bank today announced the launch of the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), a joint initiative with the Japanese Government that sends a powerful signal of Japan’s commitment to help strengthen the Asia-Pacific community.

The TDLC, which will serve as a knowledge and training center for the region, is the latest addition to the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), an initiative launched by the World Bank in 2000. Now comprising more than 60 distance learning centers around the world, the GDLN makes use of state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration free from geographical constraints.

The official launch of the TDLC was combined with a substantive regional dialogue based on the theme “Increasing Aid Effectiveness in a Changing Asia: Collaboration and Harmonization in Practice”. Key dignitaries from governments, multilateral and bilateral agencies involved in the global discussions on collaboration and harmonization were in attendance at GDLN and JICA-Net Centers in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Timor Leste. During the multi-point videoconference session, discussions amongst representatives of aid agencies and governments focused on concrete proposals to how to increase the effectiveness of donor operations.

Making use of videoconferencing facilities and high-speed internet connections, public, private and non-governmental organizations are encouraged to collaborate in seminars, training events and meetings with their counterparts around the world through the GDLN.

In Tokyo to attend the launch, World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn commented, “Japan is the second largest contributor to the World Bank, and its generous assistance to poorer countries in Asia-Pacific and around the world is well known and widely respected. But experience shows that money alone won’t make the difference. The key is knowing how to unlock the power of knowledge and expertise”.

“The TDLC is a fantastic resource, drawing on the experience of Japan and other countries across the region, it will serve as a center for collaboration, especially in promoting intra-regional knowledge sharing,” he said.

The center will promote human resource development and institution building in developing countries, especially in Asia-Pacific. It will enable Japan to act not only as a financier for regional development, but also as a supplier of development practice, knowledge and solutions that build capacity on the ground.

Mr. Sadakazu Tanigaki, Japan Minister of Finance, said, “The TDLC adds a new dimension to Japan’s development activities by recognizing the decisive role that knowledge plays in shaping economies and building an international sense of community.”

Dr. Duong Duc Ung, Director-General, Foreign Economic Relations Department at MPI said: “It is also with a strong sense of ownership, in addition to the effective partnership with the donor community, that the Government of Vietnam has developed an Action Plan on Simplification and Harmonization of ODA Procedures in Vietnam. This reflects the commitment of both Government and Donors to bring the harmonization agenda to a higher level, beyond simply reducing transaction costs, to a comprehensive view of the overall effectiveness of ODA.”

Mr. Klaus Rohland, World Bank Country Director in Vietnam, said: “In Vietnam, strong Government ownership has allowed us to launch a comprehensive harmonization effort which has the buy-in of the entire donor community, and incorporates lessons of experience from each of the donors and the country constraints. Distance Learning through the GDLN can support the harmonization efforts through knowledge sharing and training programs to build capacity in government as well as donor systems.”

Mr. Mitsuru KITANO, Minister of the Embassy of Japan, said: "Promoting alignment is the key to put forward the harmonization process. In promoting alignment to the national development strategy in Vietnam, the role of the CPRGS has been extremely instrumental as a common basis for providing development aid in Vietnam. Alignment is important also at the sector level."